If moral victories counted for anything, the Sacramento Kings would be a Jordan Bulls dynasty. I’ll readily admit that as a viewer, there’s times where I’m even over the reality of this team and just trying to survive till next season. Always next season. Alas, a three point loss to the Phoenix Suns is counted solely as an L in the record books. We’re begging the Kings to sit Fox and an injured Sabonis for the rest of the season to ensure the best odds at a Top 5 pick in the NBA Draft this summer and worrying about Sacramento mucking up a potentially pivotal game… against the 25-47 Pacers, and in return they’re worrying about the Kings right back. Yes, the Kings have a half game lead on the fifth spot in the NBA lottery on the Pacers, who have responded by announcing that Chris Duarte is day to day with a toe injury, Miles Turner still has a squiffy foot, TJ Warren is just chilling for the remainder of the season and Tyrese Haliburton, the former future of the Kings, is questionable due to lower back soreness.
Don’t get it twisted, this is absolutely a game of “Whoever wins, they lose” from a fan’s perspective. Wonder if head-coach-for-the-next-nine-games Alvin Gentry will see it that way… hmm…
Let’s talk Kings basketball!
When: Wednesday, March 23rd, 4:00 PM PT
Where: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, ID
TV: NBCSCA – Kyle Draper (play-by-play)
Radio: KHTK Sports 1140 AM
For Your Consideration
Hurtin’ for a ‘burton: So yeah, as previously mentioned, Hali might not play tonight and while that’s a bit disappointing to hear from a “I miss watching the kid play on the regular”, I’m fine with this being the Buddy Hield revenge game… because, we all know, Buddy is going to absolutely be GUNNING for 50. He’s shooting 32% from 3 during his time with the Pacers, but also 18 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists, so just be conscious that THAT former future of the Kings of the future also has something to prove against this squad. I wish him well in that endeavor, because, either he lays an all-time stinker and that’s funny or he goes on a massive heater and screws his own team’s lotto odds. There won’t be an in-between for our Buddy.
As for the rest of these Pacers tonight: they’re a team with just enough pride that while losing to more teams than they beat, they’re absolute squashing the teams in their immediate vicinity right now in the standings. They beat the the Blazer’s by 31 the other night and the Rockets by 3 a couple days before that, can’t beat the Grizzlies or Hawks but ran over the Spurs. Remember a few years ago where the Kings jumped to #2 and said the basketball gods blessed them for not trying to tank down the stretch? The Pacers are pulling that maneuver, which is going to make tonight’s game real interesting.
Regardless of whether Hali plays tonight: the conversation surrounding this game will be about him, about him admittedly thinking he was untouchable to being in a Pacers uniform, to how all sides of the media’s Living Tribunal think he’s going to lead the league in assists for years but the Kings needed something different, something fast in a bad way. That’s fine, it is what it is. The Kings should take their licks a bit on for that decision and feel fine with their choice to make it, as well. It is still very much too soon to deliver any eulogies for the decision-makers at hand.
I, uhh, I just don’t really need to write a big manifesto about this game today. They’re both injury riddled, they both meh experiences without their main storyline guys out… It’s nine games left and the Kings and Pacers are still just the Kings and Pacers.
Prediction
Buddy goes 1-18 with 9 rebounds and 8 assists just to be an absolute madman. Malcolm Brogdon goes for 30, Neemias Queta gets at least 20 minutes of playing time and battles hard in those minutes against the equally meaty Goga Bitadze. The game goes into four overtimes because neither franchise really wants to win.
Kings: 116, Pacers: 112
Today’s butt nugget: The Kings longest winning streak of the year is three games, and it occurred Dec. 1-8, bringing the Kings to 11-14. They are 14-34 since, a “winning” percentage of .291.
Well yeah, but if you take out the 20 games they lost because [perceived valid reason inserted here], they’re undefeated in that span. Next stop: Championship! #KangzLogic
At long last we have the Big Game
Against Tyrese and Buddy by name.
We all know what’s at stake
Is what pick we can take.
A close loss wouldn’t be such a shame!
Tyrese when he sees his former team:
lol “comment image”
A “professional” basketball game will be played today.
Kings-Pacers and Spurs-Blazers, coming up next!
Let’s go Holiday-Hields
I see Buddy’s spent some more time in the snack room next to the weight room!
This is going to be the best Buddy Chuckets game ever. My prediction is that Buddy puts up at least 20 shots and doesn’t make more than 6.
3-12 from deep, but hits the game winner and sprints off the floor.
Have we coined a phrase for the end of the season? I have really enjoyed the recent games against the Suns, Jazz, Bucks, Bulls,, Nuggets, Mavs, and Spurs, and the Kings had only two wins and five losses in those games.
Is it enterain-king?
Ball Sac.
How about: Lottery Playoffs
Where teams battle it out (and hope to lose the battle).
Kings better win… and when I say win I mean lose…. And when I say lose I mean win!
This…but also that. And possibly The Other.
It’s so interesting to witness Buddy’s transformation since arriving in Sac: From lovable high-motor guy we all loved, to prickly but productive gunner, to apathetic selfish chucker that nobody can stand. For all the talk about Hali and Sabonis, what’s been somewhat lost is the fact that Buddy has not been missed. At. All. Has any Kings fan said to themselves “man, we sure miss Buddy out there” one time in the last month-plus?
A guy who has a career shooting nearly 40% on high volume from distance? Why would anybody want that around. We’ve got Harrison Barnes shooting lights out and also…
No one at all.
I have no regrets about the trade, I think it was the right move. But while the Kings have played well since the trade, even in losses, they are impacted by an inability to spread the floor. Hield’s shooting, and Haliburton’s, both need to be replaced. Shooters are more abundant than two-time all-stars, so I’m not concerned about that, but Hield forced defenses to spread out, even when he wasn’t making shots. A team that hopes to succeed still needs what Buddy Hield does, even if not necessarily Buddy Hield.
Yeah, I think they can find a legit shooter, and likely better defender, at a fraction of the cost of Buddy. That was ultimately the reason for moving him.
There were only two players you could trade to get Domas. Buddy and Harrison. I don’t think anyone around here would have rather traded Harrison Barnes in that instance.
Gee…tanks a lot Indy. Brogdon didn’t play in their last game and hasn’t played since last Friday. They’ve won two in a row. It’s officially a race for the 5th lottery spot.
Kings are going to win this one by default. At the rate players are being added to the tank list, by 5:00 PM, Jerry Reynolds is going to be offered a 10-day by both teams to run the point, and it’s a Sophie’s Choice for him to choose between the teams.
Game preview:
To hell with that, they are not getting that half-game back and jumping to 5.
Starters:
C: Queta
PF: DJones
SF: JJackson
G: Mitchell
G: DiVincenzo
And if any of them look like they might drag the team to a win, you send them to Stockton or cut them at halftime.
Indy is screwing me in TKH fantasy!
I’m always getting screwed in my fantasy
You should thank the youngin Gonzo. You’re not going to an easier setup than that….ever.
Lol, I just read that Brogdon missed the last game due to “rest.” I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a player list out for “rest” two games in a row. Keep in mind their last game was against PDX, who also is in the hunt for the #5 spot. The tank is strong right now with Indy.
I don’t know. Hali and Hield played last game and are playing tonight. Meanwhile our “best” available are probably Barnes and Mitchell.
I think it could be argued that Brogdon would have been the best player on the court were he not “resting.”
Same goes for Fox. My guess is that if a playoff (or even play-in) spot were at stake, he’d be suited.
I’ll admit that I’m partial to Brogdon. I really like his game and think he could be a sneaky get by the Kings since everyone knows the Pacers are looking to move him this summer. He’d be a solid backcourt pairing next to Fox and can facilitate the offense. A Fox, Brogdon, Mitchell, DDV guard rotation is pretty good, IMO.
If the Kings were to land a stretch 4 (at best) Smith Jr. or (at worst) Murray, or even a wing like Griffin in the draft, a solid off guard is the next piece.
Would Indy consider a Holmes, protected first, and filler for Brogdon this summer?
Based on what just broke in the Bee about Holmes, I’m not sure that he is going to have any trade value at all this summer. You’d probably have to deal Barnes and maybe a lotto protected 1st to get Brogdon.
Yup, that article was a gut punch.
I think that does it for me on line today. The kid is either victim or pawn. Either way, what a shitburger for that young child. Literally making me nauseous.
Thanks for the convo, Adam. I’ll be back later.
Totally understand, Rob. Makes me sick as too. Be well.
That’s extremely disappointing to read, and it’s very sad for that poor kid.
In a related matter, the Kings record on domestic violence is dismal, and I fully expect that to continue.
Here is my line for Buddy, do you take the over or under?
1.5 shots within a step of the logo
10.5 threes taken
4.5 threes made
1.5 absolutely boneheaded turnovers
Tyrese is playing.. Woo Hoo
Must lose game in Indy. Sincerely rooting for Tyrese to get plenty of revenge today. Buddy is meh, but I guess I hope he goes off too. 5th in lottery position is meaningful. Not for the potential jump but for the potential fall.
May the best tank win
Oh no….
https://twitter.com/gwiss/status/1506759211874721797
This could be the end for Holmes. If the allegations are even remotely true that he hurt his own 6 year old son, I don’t want to see him wear the Kings uniform ever again.
I would be absolutely shocked if the Kings doled out any punishment at all. They have a history of no punishment for domestic violence and assault allegations, along with acquiring and keeping players and staff with those allegations. They’ve already tried to cover this up.
The Walton rule applies here. Express “concern,” launch an “independent” investigation which won’t be able to substantiate an incident without a third witness, and then do nothing about it. Or just do what the NFL does and wait for no criminal convention and call it good.
Luke was never found of any wrong doing.
According to the article, Holmes denies the allegations.
Hopefully, innocent until proven guilty still applies to men and women.
Sabonis out, Fox doubtful.
I believe that we can tank!!
Badge Legend